Jimmy Clausen “can’t wait” to work with Cam Newton

Posted by Michael David Smith on June 26, 2011, 11:52 AM EST

AP

When the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton with the first overall pick in this year’s NFL draft, it was crystal clear that Jimmy Clausen, last year’s second-round pick, is not in the team’s plans as its long-term starter.

But Clausen doesn’t view Newton as a threat.

Clausen said on ESPN that he’s thinking of Newton as a teammate, not as a competitor for the starting job, and that he’s excited about playing with Newton and doing whatever he can to help Newton make the same college-to-NFL transition that Clausen made a year ago.

“It’s going to be a fun camp,” Clausen said. “We just got Cam Newton. I can’t wait to work with him during camp. I was just out there in Carolina with the team two weeks ago for a two-week period. It’s great working with Cam. He’s a great talent, he’s just going to help our team.”

The player-organized workouts have allowed Clausen and Newton to get to know each other, and Clausen says he likes what he sees.

“Working out together, going over the playbook together, he’s a great guy,” Clausen said. “I can’t wait to work with him and do whatever I can to help the team win.”

But one thing Clausen did make clear is that he still thinks he’ll wear the No. 2 on his jersey, as he did last year with the Panthers. Newton wore No. 2 last year at Auburn, and there’s been some speculation that Newton might get the number in Carolina as well.

“It’s my number right now,” Clausen said. “We’ll see what happens, but as of right now it’s my number.”

Unless Newton turns out to be a major disappointment, No. 2 will be more than just Clausen’s jersey number.

18 responses to “Jimmy Clausen “can’t wait” to work with Cam Newton”

It amazes me even in this age of instant gratification how quickly the NFL community decides a QB is no good. A 22 year old kid gets a half a dozen starts on a bad football team and everyone universally declares that he is no good, his career is over, just like that.

If I were a team with an aging QB and was looking for a young developmental guy, I would trade for Clausen. Considering how tainted his reputation is, you could probably get him for a late round pick.

The only thing I really want to hear from Jimmy Clausen is an apology for the following:
1. Declaring that he was going to Notre Dame from the College Hall of Fame building
2. The best record he ever had at ND during a season was 7-6
3. Only ever making one bowl game and it being the Hawaii bowl
4. For playing so bad in school a fan was forced to hit him in the face on the streets in South Bend
5. Leaving school early cause he knew the new coach wouldn’t play him
6. Being drafted instead of just going away
7. Not being able to compete in what is now a much more harder NFC south division

is it possible that jimmy is excited and relieved because he just WANTS to be a backup? really, if you are not very good, but know the game, i cannot think of a better position to be in than backup QB. still a valuable member of the team, still makes good money but doesn’t get beat up or have the immense pressure…some guys just aren’t cut out for that kind of thing.

It amazes me even in this age of instant gratification how quickly the NFL community decides a QB is no good. A 22 year old kid gets a half a dozen starts on a bad football team and everyone universally declares that he is no good, his career is over, just like that.

If I were a team with an aging QB and was looking for a young developmental guy, I would trade for Clausen. Considering how tainted his reputation is, you could probably get him for a late round pick.

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I agree 100%. Clausen has barely been given a chance and played his rookie season on one of the worst teams of the last decade. What were they expecting the guy to do? Same goes for Tony Pike. I think Carolina is waaaaayyyy to trigger-happy when it comes to taking QB’s. They took three… THREE… in the 2010 Draft alone (granted they eventually converted one to WR but still). Now one-year college football wonder Cam Newton is taken this year… that’s four new, young QB’s in two years… it’s not necessary. Give these guys a chance to develop for crying out loud.

Clausen was miles ahead of Newton as a recruit coming into college (same class), had as good or better a final season there, and was rated at 8.7 for the NFL draft, compared to 8.1 for the Newt, by NFL Scouting.
I think there is every reason to believe that Clausen would win a fair competition for the starting job. But it isn’t likely to be a fair and open competition.

mdnittlion says:
Jun 26, 2011 12:41 PM
The only thing I really want to hear from Jimmy Clausen is an apology for the following:
1. Declaring that he was going to Notre Dame from the College Hall of Fame building
2. The best record he ever had at ND during a season was 7-6
3. Only ever making one bowl game and it being the Hawaii bowl
4. For playing so bad in school a fan was forced to hit him in the face on the streets in South Bend
5. Leaving school early cause he knew the new coach wouldn’t play him
6. Being drafted instead of just going away
7. Not being able to compete in what is now a much more harder NFC south division

Man, what a selfish person you are. WAHHH HE DIDN’T PLAY GOOD SO I DEMAND HE APOLOGIZE FOR NOT PLAYING GOOD. Are you kidding me?

And yeah, HOW DARE HE GET DRAFTED. HOW DARE HE WANT TO MAKE MONEY? DAMN HIM STRAIGHT TO HELL.

Mdnittlion obviously not from south bend or he would know what really happened. Actually it had nothing to do with his play it was because he was carrying his lady’s purse out for her and some Michigan fans started crap like most of em do. Jimmy blackened his eye a bit too. Get your facts straight before you start shooting your mouth off. I was there were you? Nope. And as far as the records go last I heard football was a team sport. The qb I the only person responsible now? What a moron. Dude has virtually every school qb record there is. Jealous much?